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ISLAMABAD, April 16: President Asif Ali Zardari asked the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) on Monday to look into the issue of payment of salary to workers and journalists, besides implementation of the seventh Wage Board award and setting up of the eighth wage board.

Addressing the 22nd APNS award ceremony at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, the president said the government recognised and respected the critical role of the media in promoting democracy, adding that an independent media was a guarantor of human rights, freedom and liberty.

According to an official handout, Mr Zardari said record of this government in upholding freedom of the media and tolerance of dissent spoke for itself.

About the government’s policy of reconciliation and tolerance, the president said: “We have endured even a campaign of slander, but we have as a matter of policy decided to let the people judge for themselves. Let them judge whether we have been justly criticised or subjected to slander.

“We have decided not to be provoked and will not be provoked in future. We have not taken any action against anyone and will continue with the same.”

President Zardari said “undemocratic elements” had targeted the PPP-led government and tried to belittle its achievements and discredit the party. He said that at times PPP leaders had been subjected to character-assassination and now the prime minister and members of his family were the target of a ‘smear campaign’.

The president said the government was conscious of problems, including energy shortage.

APP adds: President Zardari distributed prizes among journalists, advertisers and members of the APNS for their outstanding contributions.